Which for these. fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'er grown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers Fri. It rested in your Grace To unloose this tied up justice, when you pleas'd: And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in Lord Angéle. Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office: Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet my nature never in the sight, To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both Prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we sec, If power change purpose, what our seemers b. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sister- hood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! Isab. Who's that which calls? [Within.] Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with You may, men, But in the presence of the prioress: Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. He calls again; I pray you, answer him. [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that caliś? Enter LuCIO. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his sister."" Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks : Isab. Sir, make me not your story. though 'tis my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: cousin Juliet? Lucio. Is she, your cousin? My Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their Lucia, This is the point. The Duke is very strangely gone from hence; In hand, and hope of action but we do learn And with full line of his authority, Governs Lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. Lucio. Has censur'd him Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me Lucio. Assay the, power you have. Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, 1 All their petitions are as freely theirs Isab. I will about it straight; No longer staying but to give the mother [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. A Hall in ANGELO's House.. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Provost, Offi cers, and other Attendants. Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentle man, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your Honour know, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) That, in the working of your own assections, Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing, |